Rehoboth woman convicted of social security fraud charges

Updated 4:49 pm, Thursday, December 1, 2016

BOSTON (AP) — A woman has been convicted in federal court of unlawfully collecting more than $29,000 in Social Security Income benefits and lying about owning a condo in Fall River in addition to her Rehoboth (ruh-HOH'-buth) home.

A jury convicted 44-year-old Joanna Boyer on Wednesday of Social Security Fraud, making false statements and theft of public money.

She faces up to a decade in prison on the theft charge and up to five years in prison each for the fraud and false statements charges. Her sentencing is scheduled for March.

Prosecutors say Boyer collected SSI from 2010 to 2015. The benefits are only available to individuals with limited financial means.

Authorities say Boyer falsely denied owning property other than her Rehoboth home when twice asked about her property ownership.